Newbie Recorder

[DangerousDan]

Hello, I am a newbie. My name is Dan. I'm technologically challenged, and have been all of my life. I'm a bass player, but these days a man has to be more than a bass player in this industry. So I'm trying to figure out a relatively inexpensive way to get a reasonable demo for my band. If you go to our web-site http://haymakerband.tripod.com and click on songs you can find a link to our soundclick site and you will see why I am in such dire straits. Now, my first task is to buy a reasonably priced digital recorder. However one of my guitar players already has one. Problem is, it only records two tracks simultaneously, and our drummer feels like he needs at least 4. My question to all of you who are older (or younger) and wiser is, is there anyway that we can use a digital recorder that only takes two tracks simultaneously to get 4? It seems like if we ran multiple tracks through a mixer and then into the recording console, that that would work, but again I'm dumb. Thanks for all of your time.

 

[Farview]

That would work, but you have to get the mix right on the way in because there is no way to change it later. Or just get a roland 2480

 

[DangerousDan]

What are the perks of the Roland? Can you tell me anything about it?

 

[NYMorningstar]

If you used your computer to record, the number of tracks that you can record at one time and keep separate for processing at a later date is limited to the number of tracks that your soundcard can handle and the number of sources. For example, if you have only a stereo line into your soundcard then you can only record 2 tracks at a time. However if you did this process 5 times then you could have 10 separate tracks. If you had a card like the Delta 1010 then you can record up to 10 separate tracks simultaneously assuming you had 10 sources.

A mixer allows you mix down multiple sources into stereo which you could then record on a soundcard with only stereo input. The problem with doing that is once mixed you are stuck with that. There is no way to go back and separate the different sources for editing. The higher end mixers also allow you to export individual channels for tracking into a card like the Delta 1010.

Since you are strapped for cash and you're going to be needing a mixer for your band anyway, I would say that's the way to go and use your computer for recording for the time being. As doors open up for you and you learn more about the tracking/mixing/mastering end of things then you'll wanna look at investing more cash into that area. Right now stick to investing in equipment that will improve the band's sound so you have something worth recording to start with. G/L